John Olukayode Fayemi, CON, is a distinguished Nigerian politician who served as the Governor of Ekiti State from 2018 to 2022.
Prior to this, he held the same office from 2010 to 2014 before losing his re-election bid to Ayodele Fayose.
Fayemi also served as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development under President Muhammadu Buhari from November 11, 2015, to May 30, 2018, when he resigned to run for a second term as Governor of Ekiti State.
He has been the inaugural president of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF) since September 9, 2022.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: John Olukayode Fayemi
- Stage Name: Kayode Fayemi
- Born: 9 February 1965
- Age: 61 years old
- Birthplace: Ibadan, Nigeria
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Occupation: Nigerian politician
- Height: Unknown
- Parent: Unknown
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (m. 1989)
- Children: Folajimi Amandla
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $300 million
Early Life And Education
John Olukayode Fayemi was born on February 9, 1965, in Ibadan, Western Region (now part of Oyo State), Nigeria. His parents’ identities and names remain undisclosed, but it is known that his father worked as a civil servant and his mother was a trader.
While it is possible he had siblings, details about them are not publicly available. Fayemi completed his primary education at ICC Primary School in Agodi, Ibadan, and later attended Christ’s School in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Fayemi pursued higher education in history, politics, and international relations, earning degrees from the University of Lagos and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).
He furthered his academic pursuits at King’s College London, earning a doctorate in War Studies from 1989 to 1992, specializing in civil-military relations. A member of the Yoruba ethnic group, Fayemi practices Christianity.
Career
Kayode Fayemi is a distinguished Nigerian politician with a multifaceted career spanning several years. He served as the Governor of Ekiti State on two separate occasions, first from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022.
During his political journey, Fayemi held the position of Minister of Solid Minerals Development in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet from 2015 to 2018.
Currently, Fayemi is the first elected president of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF), a role he has held since September 9, 2022. This further consolidates his leadership within the African political sphere.
Born in Ibadan, Fayemi spent his early years in the city under the guidance of his Catholic father, a civil servant, and his mother, a trader. Following the creation of Ondo State in 1976, he relocated to Ado-Ekiti, which became his new base.
Fayemi’s journey into public service was not straightforward. He initially carved a path in academia and the pro-democracy movement of the 1990s.
His active participation in student union activities during university and his involvement in anti-military protests positioned him as a key figure in the struggle for democracy during the era of military rule in Nigeria.
Fayemi’s leadership within the pro-democracy movement was marked by his role in establishing “Radio Freedom,” which later became known as “Radio Democracy International” and eventually “Radio Kudirat International.”
This platform played a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of opposition against the military regime. His political career formally began in 2007 when he contested for the governorship of Ekiti State under the Action Congress.
After a protracted legal battle, Fayemi was declared the winner of the 2007 election and took office on October 15, 2010. His first term focused on an ambitious eight-point agenda to improve governance, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other critical sectors in the state.
Fayemi’s success continued in 2018 when he re-contested for the governorship under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emerged victorious.
By the time he left office in 2022, his administration had significantly reduced the number of out-of-school children and multidimensional poverty and had made strides in improving life expectancy in Ekiti State.
Fayemi holds a Ph.D. in War Studies from King’s College London, specializing in civil-military relations, and has written extensively on governance, democratization, and security in Africa.
He has authored books such as Deepening the Culture of Constitutionalism and Out of the Shadows: Exile and the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria.
Awards and Nominations
Kayode Fayemi’s awards and nominations include:
- 2012: Leadership Newspaper’s Governor of the Year.
- 2013: Champions Newspaper’s Governor of the Year.
- 2022: Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @kfayemi
- Facebook handle: Kayode Fayemi
Personal Life
Kayode Fayemi is married to Olabisi (Bisi) Fayemi, a renowned gender and development specialist, social entrepreneur, policy advocate, writer, and businesswoman.
The couple married in 1989 and have one son, Folajimi. They first met while pursuing their master’s degrees at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife.
Net Worth
John Olukayode Fayemi, a prominent political figure and businessman, is estimated to have a net worth of $300 million, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in Ekiti State. Fayemi served as the Governor of Ekiti State from 2010 to 2014 and again from March 16, 2018.